Research Farm Spec 2

Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 24,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisiana State University is seeking a Research Farm Specialist 2 at the Rice Research Station in Rayne, LA. The role supports agricultural research in an experimental farm environment and involves hands-on field operations, data collection, and observation of crop and equipment conditions.

The position offers a pay scale from $17.18 to $30.92 per hour with progression milestones. Applicants should have two years of experience in research farming or farm management, or three years in farming,

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in research farming or in farm management.
• Twelve semester hours in an agricultural field.

Responsibilities

• Operates and adjusts tractors, tillage implements, mowers, land-leveling equipment, ditchers, combines, and other agricultural equipment used to prepare and maintain research fields.
• Performs tillage, seedbed preparation, land leveling, drainage maintenance, mowing, harvesting, and other required field operations.
• Assists with harvesting and cleaning foundation rice seed, including operation and cleaning of grain bins and seed cleaning equipment.
• Works with research and farm personnel to prepare and maintain research areas.
• Observes and reports field, crop, and equipment conditions that may affect research activities or results.
• Performs routine equipment inspections, adjustments, preventative maintenance, and minor repairs.
• Assists with laying out and establishing research plots with field observations, measurements, sampling, harvesting, and research data collection.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Tractor operation

Data collection

Field observation

Education

Twelve semester hours in an agricultural field

Job description

All Job Postings will close at 12:01a.m. CST (1:01a.m. EST) on the specified Closing Date (if designated).If you close the browser or exit your application prior to submitting, the application progress will be saved as a draft. You will be able to access and complete the application through “My Draft Applications” located on your Candidate Home page.Job Posting Title:Research Farm Spec 2Position Type:ClassifiedDepartment:LSUAG PL3 - Southwest - RRS - Farm Manager (Brent Will Theunissen (00002300))Work Location:Rice Office BuildingPay Grade:Classified Technician and Skilled TradesJob Description:114480RESEARCH FARM SPECIALIST 2WS210 $35,734 - $64,314Creation Date: 06/29/1987Change Date: 01/01/2025FUNCTION OF WORK:To assist with agricultural research in an experimental farm environment.LEVEL OF WORK:ExperiencedSUPERVISION RECEIVED:General from professional researchers or other higher level personnel.SUPERVISION EXERCISED:None.JOB DISTINCTIONS:Differs from Research Farm Specialist 1 by requirements for observing, evaluating, and reporting conditions in a research environment.Differs from Research Farm Supervisor by lack of supervisory responsibilities.CORE COMPETENCIES:CORE COMPETENCIES HAVE NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED BY STATE CIVIL SERVICE FOR THIS JOB TITLE. MORE INFORMATION ON THE SCS COMPETENCY MODEL CAN BE FOUND HERE.EXAMPLES OF WORK:EXAMPLES BELOW ARE A BRIEF SAMPLE OF COMMON DUTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS JOB TITLE. NOT ALL POSSIBLE TASKS ARE INCLUDED.Discusses research projects with professional researches to devise methods and provide technical farming expertise.Lays out research plots, labels treatments for animals or plants, and collects data.Handles complex aspects of animal care, such as delivery when complications arise, treatment of unusual health problems, assisting with experimental breeding techniques.Conducts basic laboratory tests on samples.Calculates proportions and application rates of chemicals and assists with complex applications of experimental chemicals and treatment.Calibrates and precisely adjusts complex equipment.Collects and assembles data from research plots and experimental animals.Performs comparable farming tasks in other agricultural research areas such as forestry, aquaculture, agricultural engineering, etc.Performs related duties as assigned.QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Two years of experience in research farming or in farm management; ORThree years of experience in farming; ORTwelve semester hours in an agricultural field.Additional Job Description:Competencies:NoneSpecial Instructions:Location: H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station, Rayne, LAMinimum Requirements: Two years of experience in research farming or in farm management. For more information and substitutions contact www.civilservice.louisiana.gov or the AgCenter HRM office.Job Duties Operates and adjusts tractors, tillage implements, mowers, land-leveling equipment, ditchers, combines, and other agricultural equipment used to prepare and maintain research fields. Performs tillage, seedbed preparation, land leveling, drainage maintenance, mowing, harvesting, and other required field operations. (50%) Assists with harvesting and cleaning foundation rice seed, including operation and cleaning of grain bins and seed cleaning equipment. (20%) Works with research and farm personnel to prepare and maintain research areas. Observes and reports field, crop, and equipment conditions that may effect research activities or results. Performs routine equipment inspections, adjustments, preventative maintenance, and minor repairs. (15%) Assists with laying out and establishing research plots with field observations, measurements, sampling, harvesting, and research data collection. (15%) Other duties as assigned. (5%)• Pay Scale: Minimum - $17.18/hour; 1st Quartile - $20.62/hour; Midpoint - $24.05/hour; 3rd Quartile - $27.49/hour; Maximum - $30.92/hour.Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the work experience section of the application. Please list all work experience. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. You must include all relevant education and experience on your official application.No testing required.Position is not eligible for remote employment.Must apply online at https://lsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/LSU or through Workday for internal applicants.Application Deadline: 11/10/2026 or until suitable candidate is identified.The LSU Agricultural Center is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. An Equal Opportunity Employer.Skills Needed:Preferred Skills:Posting Date:October 28, 2026Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):November 11, 2026Additional Position Information:Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.Benefits - The LSU AgCenter has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Benefits offered include retirement, multiple medical insurance options, supplemental insurances (dental, life, long-term disability, accident, vision, long-term care, etc.), Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some childcare and medical expenses), university holidays (14 per year), generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits, Employee Assistance Program, and possible educational leave and tuition exemption for coursework at campuses of the LSU System. Specific benefits depend on job category, percent effort and length of employment.Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.Essential Position (Y/N):About the LSU Agricultural Center:The LSU AgCenter, is one of eight campuses within the broader LSU enterprise (LSU System). The LSU AgCenter includes the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, which conducts agricultural-based research, and the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, which extends the knowledge derived from research to the people of the state. The AgCenter is headquartered in Baton Rouge and has 12 “on campus” academic departments and five regions which are made up of 15 branch research stations and an extension office in each parish. For more information, visit the AgCenter’s website at www.lsuagcenter.com.The LSU Agricultural Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.HCM Contact Information:Questions or concerns can be directed to the LSU AgCenter Human Resources Management Office at 225-578-2258 or emailed [e-mail].